Arm in arm, at arm’s length.
‘Tailored – to fit a particular situation, object, or person.’
Heather Belcher is interested in the tailored aspect of a suit representing the individuality of the wearer, but at the same time, being a kind of uniform, ‘arm in arm’ with the community and yet, at arm’s length from the group.
Whilst constructing the sleeve for the tailored suit, the lining is attached, inside out, to the outer cloth with stitches along the seam. Once turned through, the inner sleeve will be held and supported by the robustness of the outer sleeve.
As humans we are social beings desiring connection with, and acceptance of the group. At the same time the community thrives by nurturing the inner creativity and individual freedom of its members.
The voids left by the ‘cutting out’ of the sleeve pieces from the length of cloth on the right, suggests a duality of absence and presence, full of loss and memory but also future potential.
